United and Denver International Airport announced last week a daily seasonal nonstop service between Denver (DEN) and London (LHR) starting March 24, 2018. This is great news for travelers living in the mile high city! Also, more selfishly, we have family living in Denver and this will make dropping off my wife and I's dog with family that much easier when we go to Europe for holiday. As of today, United only offers 1 long haul international flight to Tokyo from Denver. Given the limited airport slots at LHR, one has to wonder which route will United take away.

On the day United begins their DEN to LHR flight, United will service LHR via their network of hubs; Los Angeles (LAX) with 1 daily flight utilizing a 787-9, San Francisco (SFO) with 2 daily flights utilizing 2 777-200s, Chicago (ORD) with 3 daily flights utilizing 3 legacy United 767-300s, Houston (IAH) with 2 daily flights utilizing 2 777-200s, Newark (EWR) with 5 daily flights utilizing 767-300s, and Washington Dulles (IAD) with 3 daily flights utilizing a 757-200, a legacy United 777-200, and a 787-8.

What surprises me the most is the fact the highly sought after New York to London route is being serviced by old 767s... My gut feeling is United will replace 2 daily 767 flights with 1 daily 777-300 flight. This makes the most sense to me, the flagship plane flying the flagship route. What will United ultimately do? Only time will tell.

What route do you think United will swap for the new Denver to London route?

Edit - Currently, United offers 6 daily flights to LHR from their hub EWR. They will reduce the frequency to 5 daily flights using their 767-300s.